Should Rockford Schools Follow a Michigan Cellphone Policy?

In a world where young and old are glued to screens, a school district in Michigan has a new cellphone rrule intended to will help students achieve higher grades while improving their mental health. This might be a first for Michigan and if it works other districts... (RPS 205?) may want to consider.

Students at Forest Hills Public Schools in Michigan are starting their school year with no phones, according to Fox 17. If parents need to contact their child(ren) they'll have to do it the old fashioned way and call the school's front office.

Phones are not evil, they’re amazing tools but the tool doesn’t use us, but we use the tool.

A few of the reasons for this new policy is to encourage students to get to know each other and actually PLAY at recess. One of the counselors from the schools said of kids with phones in class, "their grades went down anywhere from 20-14 percent." This new policy could help build more face-to-face time between fellow students and peers, thus building problem-solving and social skills.

Cellphone use in the classroom fosters bullying, depression and isolation; while stealing their attention from the classroom.

Though it's easy to say, "yes, bring this to districts in and around Rockford", I'm curious what parents of children that walk home from school or spend time alone at home every afternoon would have to say about this.

Keep cell phones and other electronic items stowed away during school. The school shall provide a secure location for all electronic devices. If parent/guardian/ student(s)/ choose to not place electronic devices in the secure location, the District is not responsible for those electronic devices.

Read more about the Forest Hills Public Schools no cellphone policy here.

JB Love is ½ of Q98.5's Lil Zim & JB In The Morning, weekday mornings from 5:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.